---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Generosity is an activity that loosens us…"
description: "\"Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can - a dollar, a flower, a word of encouragement - we are training in letting go..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png"
---

#  Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering…

![“Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can - a dollar, a flower, a word of encouragement - we are training in letting go.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png)

> “Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can - a dollar, a flower, a word of encouragement - we are training in letting go.”

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Generosity loosens attachment; giving, even small acts, trains the mind to let go.

**In simple terms:** Giving trains letting go.

Key Takeaway

Practice small generous acts daily.

Themes

generosity detachment mindfulness

Mood

calm encouraging

Type

spiritual practical

When to use this quote

- relationships
- personal growth
- community service

Key Concepts

spiritual practice psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What can you give without cost?
- How does giving affect you?

A Different Perspective

May feel difficult when resources are scarce.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Dollars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) [Encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouragement/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Generosity Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity-activity-3608089/) [Letting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Loosens Offering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loosens-offering-3608090/) [Offering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offering/) [Offering Dollar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offering-dollar-3608091/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Word Of Encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-of-encouragement/) [Words of encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-of-encouragement/)

## Related quotes

> [There is no such thing as a "self-made" man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-matthew-adams/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-self-made-man-we-are-made-up-of-thousands/)

[George Matthew Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-matthew-adams/)

> [TODAY can be a healthy unusual day for you-and for others-if you take time to give someone a smile . . . to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/today-can-be-a-healthy-unusual-day-for-you-and-for-others-if-you-take/)

[William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/)

> [I want to offer a word of encouragement to authors: You have to feel called to the message of your book enough that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jud-wilhite/i-want-to-offer-a-word-of-encouragement-to-authors-you-have-to-feel/)

[Jud Wilhite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jud-wilhite/)

> [To go about your work with pleasure, to greet others with a word of encouragement, to be happy in the present and confident in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-osgood-grover/to-go-about-your-work-with-pleasure-to-greet-others-with-a-word-of/)

[Edwin Osgood Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-osgood-grover/)

> [Simple smile, a cheerful hello or a word of encouragement It's amazing what an impact you will have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/simple-smile-a-cheerful-hello-or-a-word-of-encouragement-it-s-amazing/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-word-of-encouragement-from-a-teacher-to-a-child-can-change-a-life-a/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Sometimes all it takes is a kind word of encouragement to get your heroes back on the right path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-duarte/sometimes-all-it-takes-is-a-kind-word-of-encouragement-to-get-your/)

[Nancy Duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-duarte/)

> [A word of Encouragement from a leader can #Inspire a person to reach her potential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-word-of-encouragement-from-a-leader-can-inspire-a-person-to-reach/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Be careful before leaving someone in a sorrowing situation. Say a word of prayer with them and share even a brief word of encouragement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/be-careful-before-leaving-someone-in-a-sorrowing-situation-say-a-word/)

[Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/)

> [You never know when one act, or one word of encouragement can change a life forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/you-never-know-when-one-act-or-one-word-of-encouragement-can-change-a/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [As long as we're caught up in always looking for certainty and happiness, rather than honoring the taste and smell and quality of exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/as-long-as-we-re-caught-up-in-always-looking-for-certainty-and/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [When you open yourself to the continually changing, impermanent, dynamic nature of your own being and of reality, you increase your capacity to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-you-open-yourself-to-the-continually-changing-impermanent-2/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [We have enough critics. Be an encourager. One sincere word of encouragement after failure is worth more than a day of praise after success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-have-enough-critics-be-an-encourager-one-sincere-word-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“But for those of you who might be on the fence when it comes to the idea of working to learn something new, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-t-kiyosaki/but-for-those-of-you-who-might-be-on-the-fence-when-it-comes-to-the/)

[Robert T. Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-t-kiyosaki/)

> [A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-word-of-encouragement-during-a-failure-is-worth-more-than-an-hour/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Pema Chodron

> [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

[Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

## More Activity quotes

> [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/)

[Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/)

> [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/)

[Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/)

> [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/)

[Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/)

> [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/)

[Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/)

> [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/)

[Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/)

> [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/)

[Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/)

> [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/)

[Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/)

> [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/)

[Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/)

> [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/)

[Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/)

> [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/)

[Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/)

> [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

[Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can - a dollar, a flower, a word of encouragement - we are training in letting go.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pema Chodron"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-us-up-by-offering-whatever-we/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Activity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-us-up-by-offering-whatever-we/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/pema-ch-dr-n-327_activity_generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-u_2823670.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can - a dollar, a flower, a word of…” — Pema Chodron",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pema Chodron",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Generosity is an activity that loosens...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-us-up-by-offering-whatever-we/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/generosity-is-an-activity-that-loosens-us-up-by-offering-whatever-we/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
